April 8-10, 2016Virginia Beach, VA

2nd Harvest Food Bank,Pasco, WAFebruary 16, 2016

It's Spring and new things are happening all around me! Yep ... 2016 has truly turned into a true Jubilee season.

I shared previously that I'm in my 20th year as a road runner and I've used this milestone as inspiration to change my game. Consequently, as I've accomplished more in my running realm that confidence has spilled over into other areas of my life. This is a normal occurrence - often once we hit success in one area, the hunger to be successful in other realms ignites and we go for it.

Here are some of the firsts I've achieved already in 2016:​

I joined a running group (which is more like a family; it's a-may-zing)

I ran my first road race - locally

I ran more than 60 minutes for the first time ever. In the past I've always stopped at 5 miles or 60 minutes, whichever came first, and it was always the 5 miles because I usually run it in 52-56 mins

I ran 6.2 miles (10k) for the first time just four weeks ago - 1:11:49

I beat my 10k PB Sunday with a time of 1:07:49 - and I don't even run for speed. I run because I eat like a growing boy and need to maintain a decent weight

I've run in the rain for the first and second time ever

I started my running season before the temp hit 60. I'm a weather wimp so that's a big deal for me

Since February 17 I've run approximately 274k (170.26 miles). I just started tracking distance since last year when I discovered Under Armour's Map My Run app. It's awesome, bt dubbs, if you're looking for a quality app. Therefore, I don't know how long it took me to run that distance in years past, but I know it wasn't done in less than two months

I bought my first pair of running shoes that aren't Adidas. I love them, too

The best first by far was hitting running nirvana on Thursday, March 31. For the very first time in almost 20 years as a runner I reached that high where I experienced complete liberty and my mind, body, soul and spirit were in alignment. My lungs and breathing were unhindered as if I were only walking and my legs were loose. When I reached 9k I felt so good I decided to go for 11 instead of stopping at my planned 10. Then when I got to 11 I decided to go for 12k (7.4 miles). At 12 I was still loose and could've keep running but my son needed me so I stopped at 12.50km (7.8 miles). That took me to my first 90-minute run. I'm usually bored between 5 and 6 and just want to be done, but not that night. It was awesome ... I'll never forget it

And there's probably a couple other firsts I can't think of right now. It's been that fantastic of a season.

I enjoyed the first virtual race I did very much so I'm doing another this month. I welcome you to join me. Sometime between April 15 and 30 I'm going to run a regular 10k for The Incredible Virtual Run and collect a sweet finisher's medal in the process.

You may ask why anyone would bother signing up for a virtual run when they already run anyway. Lots of reasons. My mains are I like the bling without the crowd, early race time and competition. As I mentioned above I run as my chosen form of exercise and I've been doing it alone for two decades. I've never enjoyed fraternizing when working out - which is one of the reasons I don't like gyms. With virtual races, I have all the spoils of being a runner on my own terms and schedule; and being a teacher I appreciate that Level Up Runs donates to schools' sports programs.

I hope you're breaking through old mindsets and limitations in this season and making your own list of firsts. I hope this post inspired you to try something new. I'm telling you ... the right inspiration is contagious. If you find it, you'll be unstoppable. I'm a witness.

I'd love to help you locate the motivation you need to achieve your next milestone. Schedule a call or book a package today. The newness of Spring is waiting for you to take hold. Do it now. #IWill